Airbus tanker deal igniting new trade fight

3/3/2008By Jim Snyder and Roxana Tiron

The Air Force’s decision to award a $40 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers to a team that includes French-based EADS is likely to spark another battle on Capitol Hill over trade, but the debate is not expected to get beyond heavy rhetoric.

Supporters of Boeing, the losing bidder, certainly will try for something tangible. They announced plans on Monday to push for legislation to block the award on the grounds that U.S. contracts should not go to companies that benefit from unfair trade practices.